https://www.sterlingsky.ca/local-seo/In Part 1 of this exclusive Episode, I sit down with former Google employees Joel Headley and Brad Wetherall to uncover what really happens behind the scenes of Google Business Profiles, and what business owners often get completely wrong. Why reviews disappear, why edits don’t stick, and why support often feels like a dead end. We break down how Google actually evaluates trust, filters reviews, and decides what gets published or ignored. If you rely on Google Maps to drive calls, leads, or foot traffic, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Links: https://www.thegbpexperts.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradwetherall/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelheadley/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction : Why your Google reviews disappear and profiles get suspended 00:47 Meet the Former Googlers : Intro of Brad Weatherall and Joel Headley 01:41 The Mystery of Missing Reviews : Understanding the cyclical nature of review removals 03:46 The Balancing Act : How Google experiments with algorithms and causes collateral damage 05:51 Why Seasonality Matters : Why Google avoids major algorithm tweaks in Q4 07:22 Behind the Scenes : How Google targets spam and uses automated scripts 12:18 Review Parties and Proximity Signals : The risks of getting too many reviews at one location 15:34 Tactics for Getting Filtered Reviews to Stick : Discussion on editing reviews and profile links 17:48 The "Recaptcha" Logic in Reviews : How mouse movement impacts Google's trust 21:44 New Google Guidelines : Speculation on why Google discourages mentioning employee names 27:10 Do Reviews Ever Truly Get Deleted? : Understanding the hidden database where content is stored 31:04 One Google, Many Teams : Why advice contradicts enforcement across Policy, Product, and Support 33:36 Is Reaching Out to Support Worth It? : The reality of modern automated machine decision-making 39:13 Pro-Tips for Navigating Support Levels : Understanding Levels 1, 2, and 3 and the language trick 53:48 The "Escape Hatch" : How to trigger the manual verification process 59:49 Coming Up on Part 2 : Teaser for the next episode on negative reviews and suspensions   Ep 26102 pt1   #localseo #seo #localsearch __________________________________________ Grow Your Business With Local SEO   At Sterling Sky, we're passionate about helping businesses like yours achieve their local SEO goals. We know that the digital landscape can be confusing and ever-changing, so we've made it our mission to provide you with the expert guidance and support your need to succeed.   We've helped countless businesses achieve their local SEO goals, and we're confident that we can help you do the same.   READY TO TAKE YOUR LOCAL SEO TO THE NEXT LEVEL?   Websites: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/ https://localu.org/ https://localsearchforum.com/   Blogs: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/blog/ https://localu.org/blog/

In this episode, we sit down with SEO legend James Dooley, who has built and ranked over 1,000 domains and generated more than 2 million enquiries online. If you’re wondering how to rank a website on Google in 2026, this is the conversation you need to hear. We break down: 🔹The exact SEO strategies working right now 🔹When duplicate content becomes a real problem 🔹Whether brand matters more than backlinks 🔹Plus: how AI traffic compares to Google traffic today. If you’re a business owner, agency, or SEO trying to stay ahead of Google’s algorithm, this episode will give you clarity. James Dooley started his career in digital marketing in 2009, when he built his first website. James Dooley quickly became fascinated by SEO and began to learn everything he could about the subject. In the years since, James Dooley has built and ranked over 1,000 domains online as a UK-based Digital Landlord, generating over 2 million enquiries. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: James Dooley's SEO Journey 01:36 - The Key to Winning in 2026: Holistic Marketing 02:07 - Finding Profit in Narrow Niches 04:11 - Social Media for Local Businesses: Ranking Your Posts 06:22 - Optimizing Facebook Posts for Search 08:27 - Explaining Semantic Triples 09:44 - Strategies for Forcing Google to Index Content 12:28 - Leveraging Facebook Groups for Visibility 16:21 - The Power of Self-Promoting Listicles 19:14 - Facebook Pages vs. Profiles for SEO 21:11 - LinkedIn vs. Other Platforms: Hashtags and Links 22:42 - Cracking the Code on Reddit Ranking 26:22 - AI Overviews: Impact on Lead Volume and Quality 30:52 - The Future of LLMs: ChatGPT vs. Claude and Gemini 36:06 - Crafting the Perfect URL Structure 39:05 - When to Create Specific Service Area Pages 41:46 - Essential Elements of a Service Area Page 45:54 - The Truth About Duplicate Content on Local Sites 52:24 - Algorithm Update Trends: Brand and Social Signals 55:36 - Why Traditional Link Building is Diminishing 58:56 - Avoiding Toxic Links and PBN Scams 1:02:44 - Proactive Reputation Management 1:04:50 - James's Recommendations for Learning SEO 1:06:22 - How Long Does It Take to Rank a New Site? 1:12:18 - How Paid Traffic Indirectly Boosts Organic Rankings 1:15:06 - The Mistake of Using Separate Domains for PPC 1:19:37 - Social Media Ad Strategies for Lead Generation 1:23:13 - Local Pack vs. Organic Leads: Quality Comparisons 1:25:01 - Speed to Lead: The Importance of Rapid Response 1:27:28 - Utilizing WhatsApp and SMS for Lead Nurturing#localseo #seo #localsearch EP 26088 __________________________________________ Grow Your Business With Local SEO   At Sterling Sky, we're passionate about helping businesses like yours achieve their local SEO goals. We know that the digital landscape can be confusing and ever-changing, so we've made it our mission to provide you with the expert guidance and support your need to succeed.   We've helped countless businesses achieve their local SEO goals, and we're confident that we can help you do the same.   READY TO TAKE YOUR LOCAL SEO TO THE NEXT LEVEL?   Websites: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/ https://localu.org/ https://localsearchforum.com/   Blogs: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/blog/ https://localu.org/blog/

Ever had a customer swear they left a 5-star review, but it never appears or vanishes without a trace? With sophisticated artificial intelligence and advanced pattern recognition capabilities, algorithms are getting better at identifying unusual activity.   This video explains how 'missing reviews' and spikes in customer review volume can flag your online reputation, especially on platforms like Google Reviews. It's not just random; ai models are becoming incredibly adept at detecting fake reviews and other anomalies.   🔗 Show Links & Resources   📈 Local SEO Research & Reports ◼Google Map Pack Study: How Call Buttons Affect Rankings https://smallbizedge.com/reports/map-pack-call-buttons/ ◼Industry Report: The State of Local SEO in 2026 https://www.sterlingsky.ca/the-state-of-local-seo-in-2026/ ◼Analysis: The New Ranking Factor Landscape https://www.linkedin.com/posts/claudia-tomina_the-new-ranking-factor-landscape-google-activity-7425213430845976577-ucC_/   🛠 GBP Management & Policy Updates ◼Policy Update: GBP Identity & Review Policy Changes https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hiroko-imai_the-google-business-profile-policy-has-been-activity-7429686096822812672-GMWv/ ◼SAB Guide: How to Move an SAB Without Destroying Rankings https://www.sterlingsky.ca/move-your-sab-without-destroying-rankings/ ◼Reference: Google Maps Business Support https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/geocoding/overview   📊 Data & Visuals ◼State of Local SEO in 2026: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/the-state-of-local-seo-in-2026/ ◼% of Keyword with Local Services Ads (LSA): https://www.sterlingsky.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/LSA-Ads-v2-padding-1-2048x1270.png ◼% of Keywords Showing Local Pack Ads : https://www.sterlingsky.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/CleanShot-2026-03-30-at-10.51.31-1024x635.png   #localseo #seo #localsearch __________________________________________ Grow Your Business With Local SEO   At Sterling Sky, we're passionate about helping businesses like yours achieve their local SEO goals. We know that the digital landscape can be confusing and ever-changing, so we've made it our mission to provide you with the expert guidance and support your need to succeed.   We've helped countless businesses achieve their local SEO goals, and we're confident that we can help you do the same.   READY TO TAKE YOUR LOCAL SEO TO THE NEXT LEVEL?   Websites: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/ https://localu.org/ https://localsearchforum.com/   Blogs: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/blog/ https://localu.org/blog/   ⏯️ Chapters:00:00 Why Google Reviews Disappear (Intro & Hook) 01:20 Guest Introduction: Claudia Tomina 01:42 #1 Reason Reviews Don't Publish: No Prior Engagement 03:02 Tips to Get Reviews to Publish (Branded Search Strategy) 05:18 Is Google Punishing Businesses for Using Their Own Review Link? 07:09 Do Review Request Campaigns Boost Rankings? 08:06 CTR Manipulation: Does It Work & Can It Hurt You? 10:37 Can You Recover Unpublished or Deleted Reviews? 11:50 Review Velocity & Patterns That Trigger Filtering 13:13 Real Case: Law Firm Burned by Bought Reviews 15:12 When Google Flags a Group of Negative Reviews as an Attack 18:26 Pre-Algorithm vs. Post-Algorithm Review Removal 20:33 The "4–5 Day Disappearing Review" Trend: Bug or Feature? 37:55 The Future of Google Bookings & Agentic Local Search 39:48 Google's Chat Feature: Why It's Not Taking Off 40:52 Are Google Posts Worth It? When They Work & When They Don't 43:46 AI-Generated Content on Google Business Profiles 45:32 Editorial Summaries vs. Review Summaries vs. "Know Before You Go" 47:29 Who to Follow for Local SEO Insights 50:41 Removing Negative Reviews: What Actually Works 52:49 What Causes Google to Block Google Posts 54:06 Starting a New Business: How to Allocate 5 Hours/Week for Marketing 55:56 What Content Is Working Right Now (and What's Dying) 58:06 Is Social Media a Direct Google Ranking Factor? 1:01:18 Real Local SEO Problem: Website URL Change That

Google's increasingly aggressive crackdowns and harsher core updates are significantly impacting Local SEO and AI search professionals. Medium to Small Businesses are experiencing major traffic losses due to these changes, often without understanding the cause. This situation necessitates a strategic adaptation to the new landscape, focusing on content adjustments and off-site brand mentions to mitigate the effects of Google algorithm shifts and stay ahead of AI updates in search. Lily Ray @amsive joins us to break down why small to medium businesses are being hit the hardest by Google and provides a strategic roadmap for content adjustments, brand mentions, and surviving the shift to AI-driven search.#localseo #seo #localsearch 🕒 Timestamps:00:00 Introduction: The SEO Landscape in 202601:03 Who is Lily Ray?02:02 Is AI Content Inherently Dangerous?04:03 The Risks of "Scaling" Content & City Pages06:15 Service Area Pages vs. Physical Locations09:23 Why YMYL Topics Face Higher Scrutiny10:41 How AI Overviews are Killing Organic Traffic12:48 Action Items: Diversification & Digital PR15:47 The New Role of SEOs: LLM Discoverability17:41 Why Reddit & Forums are Dominating Search18:55 Small Business Strategy: Video & Authenticity21:14 Analyzing the Most Recent Core Updates24:10 Google’s Preference for .gov & Authority Sites27:28 How to Diagnose & Recover from a Hit31:16 The Truth About Backlinks & Disavow Tools34:14 Content Classifiers & Site-Wide Demotions37:00 Local Pack vs. Organic: Why GBP Stays Safe39:05 The Crackdown on Self-Serving Listicles44:17 E-E-A-T: Common Misconceptions Debunked48:12 The War on AI-Generated Fake Reviews51:51 Rapid-Fire Questions & Future Myths🔗 Resources:Lily Ray’s Newsletter: https://www.amsive.com/insights/Joy Hawkins' Newsletter: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/newsletter/Google Search Console Guide: https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/9128669__________________________________________Grow Your Business With Local SEOAt Sterling Sky, we're passionate about helping businesses like yours achieve their local SEO goals. We know that the digital landscape can be confusing and ever-changing, so we've made it our mission to provide you with the expert guidance and support your need to succeed.We've helped countless businesses achieve their local SEO goals, and we're confident that we can help you do the same.READY TO TAKE YOUR LOCAL SEO TO THE NEXT LEVEL?Websites: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/https://localu.org/https://localsearchforum.com/Blogs:https://www.sterlingsky.ca/blog/https://localu.org/blog/Ep 26104

Google Business Profile suspensions, disappearing reviews, and sudden listing removals are happening more often than ever, and most business owners have no idea why.In this webinar, we sit down with a seasoned Google Business Profile product expert, Ben Fisher, Co-Founder at @SteadyDemand who works inside the mess every day, dealing with real suspensions, failed verifications, spam networks, and review wipeouts.Links:Steady Demandhttps://www.steadydemand.com/Tool http://peec.ai/Sterling Sky Podcasthttps://www.sterlingsky.ca/local-seo-the-experts-guide-podcast/Localu Global Virtual Conference VODhttps://localu.org/localu-global-access-on-demand-recorded-january-28-2026/Local Search Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/localsearch/Video: 7 Local SEO Mistakes Costing Your Business THOUSANDS (Fix These NOW!)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54_JsfQuLx8#localseo #googlebusinessprofile #digitalmarketing EP 26008

In this exclusive session, we’re joined by Mike King, one of the sharpest minds in search, to unpack the wildest shifts happening in Google’s AI-powered results right now. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at real tactics Mike is using for clients today to gain visibility across AI platforms like Google and ChatGPT and how you can apply them immediately.LIVE TOOL DEMO: Mike will walk through a powerful fan-out query tool that uncovers how Google is interpreting and ranking entire topics. We’ll even use real audience examples in the demo so you can see it in action.What you’ll learn:✅ The “fan-out query” method explained in plain English✅ How to pull Google’s full query list for your niche✅ Tactics to help small businesses stand out in an AI-dominated search landscape✅ Why certain blackhat strategies still work (and Mike’s take on them)Whether you’re a business owner, SEO strategist, or just trying to stay ahead of AI’s impact on search, this webinar will leave you with actionable insights you won’t find anywhere else.Save your seat now and come ready with a topic for the live tool demo! Register👉 https://localu.org/how-rank-2026-mike-king-webinar/Links:Mike King's Tool - https://ipullrank.com/tools/qforia https://ipullrank.com/case-studiesMike King's Conference April 27-30, 2026 - https://seoweek.org/ LocalU Global - Attend from Anywhere🌎 - https://localu.org/etn/localu-global-january-28-2026/Next Months Webinar: https://localu.org/gbp-violations-punishment-ben-fisher/

Local SEO is changing fast! For more 👉🏻 https://www.sterlingsky.ca/the-state-of-local-seo-in-2026/ Learn about the 3 major threats facing businesses in 2026: disappearing organic visibility, AI's impact on search, and aggressive review attacks. Experts Joy Hawkins @SterlingSkyInc Luc Durand @rankingacademy & Darren Shaw @WhitesparkCa reveal how to prepare, understand mobile search shifts, deal with fake reviews, and apply effective strategies to stay competitive. Don't fall behind – watch LIVE to secure your local rankings!Date : December 17, 2025Time : 11:00 am - 1:00 pm ETRegister for updates: https://localu.org/etn/surviving-local-seo-in-2026/Chapters:0:00 Welcome to 2026 Local SEO Threats & Expert Introductions2:00 Understanding Declining Google Business Profile Calls4:30 The Impact of AI-Powered Local Packs on Visibility8:00 Google's Monetization Strategy & SERP Changes13:00 The Rise of Local Pack Ads and Local Services Ads (LSAs)16:00 Maximizing Value from Local Services Ads: Agency Perspective20:00 Diversifying Lead Generation Beyond Organic SEO23:00 Analyzing Traffic from AI Platforms like ChatGPT & Gemini29:00 Why Video Marketing is Essential for Local Businesses36:00 Debunking Local SEO Myths: Geotagging & AI-Generated Video40:00 Whitespark Local Ranking Grid: Advanced Tracking & LLM Visibility45:00 Effective Strategies for Google Review Generation50:00 Open Hours as a Local Ranking Factor & Service Area Business (SAB) Challenges58:00 Navigating Co-working Spaces & Subleasing for Business Addresses1:02:00 Optimizing Service Area Pages & Core Business Citations1:07:00 Combating Review Extortion & Understanding Google's Review Jail1:19:00 Top Local SEO Strategies for 2026 Success1:25:00 Identifying & Avoiding Wasted Local SEO Tactics1:32:00 Ranking Strategies for Gemini AI & Perplexity: What Matters Now1:36:00 Essential Call Tracking for Local SEO & The Role of TikTok Ads1:40:00 Developing Niche Video Content Ideas for Local Businesses1:42:00 Local Grid Tracking: "Near Me" vs. "Keyword + City" Queries1:44:00 Best Practices for Responding to Negative Google Reviews1:48:00 Final Key Takeaways to Future-Proof Your Local Business#LocalSEO#GoogleBusinessProfile#ReviewManagement

Dive deep into the evolving world of SEO with expert insights! Learn why traditional SEO tactics are dead, how Forbes' strategy crumbled, and the new 2026 playbook for success. Discover the power of brand building, founder marketing, and Reddit as an SEO cheat code. We'll also explore AI's true role in content and what Google won't tell you. Don't miss out on strategies to protect your traffic and thrive in 2026 and beyond. Subscribe for cutting-edge Local SEO insights!Date : November 13, 2025Time : 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm ETRegister for updates: https://localu.org/etn/the-future-of-seo-what-google-wont-tell-you-but-we-will/Chapters:00:00 - Intro: The Future of SEO & Content00:40 - Why Viral Content Isn't Always Effective01:40 - Forbes' SEO Strategy Collapse Explained04:05 - Understanding Google's Helpful Content Update06:45 - The Old SEO Playbook: What's Dead in 202509:30 - The New SEO Strategy: Build Brand First12:00 - SEO for Small Businesses: When to Invest14:20 - Choosing Organic Channels: Fit Over Hype17:30 - Reddit: The SEO "Cheat Code" & Its Risks23:45 - How Reddit Manipulates Google & AI28:00 - Founder Marketing & Business Exits30:45 - Small Business Marketing: Ads vs. SEO33:00 - Personal Brand: Surviving the AI Content Wave35:30 - Hyper-Targeted Bottom-Funnel Content38:00 - Future of Marketing: Private Communities (Discord, WhatsApp)43:00 - Ranking in the AI Era: LLMs & SEO45:30 - New AI Ranking Signals: Reviews, Awards, PR47:00 - SEO Timeline for Small Businesses: Realistic Expectations49:10 - Competitor Comparison Content Strategy52:30 - Website Health Tools & Keyword Research for Topics55:20 - AI in Content Creation: Repurposing vs. Originality01:00:30 - The #1 Skill for New Marketers: Copywriting01:02:00 - Recommended Copywriting Books01:03:00 - Final Thoughts & Connect with Lars#SEOFuture #GoogleAI #LocalSEO

October 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM ETWebinar: How Local Businesses Can Rank on Google With YouTube with Jeremy VestDiscover how local businesses can leverage YouTube to rank higher on Google and generate leads! Join YouTube expert Jeremy Vest as he breaks down strategies for content creation, SEO, effective thumbnails, and paid advertising to grow your business. Learn how to niche down your content, understand viewer intent, and optimize for both YouTube and Google search. Get your free YouTube channel audit at creatorunlock.com now!00:00 Introduction: YouTube for Local Business Growth00:14 Meet Jeremy Vest: YouTube Expert & Strategist00:30 Jeremy's Journey & Host's YouTube Channel Success01:27 Live Audience Q&A & Channel Audits02:05 Local Business YouTube Strategy for Google Rankings02:46 Local Search Intent: Answering Consumer Questions on YouTube04:32 YouTube's Role in Business Valuation & Acquisitions06:05 Expanding Video Marketing Beyond YouTube06:43 Targeting Local Audiences on YouTube: Dentist Example07:27 Hyper-Targeted YouTube Ads for Local Lead Generation09:46 Organic Channel Health vs. Paid YouTube Ads Performance11:05 Live Channel Audit: Personal Injury Lawyer13:05 Get Your Free YouTube Audit at CreatorUnlock.com13:43 Building Trust & Branding on Your YouTube Channel15:17 The Power of Authenticity: Why Human Connection Matters18:15 Keyword Research: Finding Local Video Topics on YouTube20:12 Competitor Analysis: Blueprint for Top-Performing Videos22:37 Live Channel Audit: Foundation Solutions Group23:46 Understanding the YouTube Algorithm: Click, Watch, Like24:31 Optimize Your YouTube Banner & Channel Messaging25:54 Creating Clickable Thumbnails: Design vs. Intent28:50 Roger Wakefield: A Masterclass in Plumbing YouTube Thumbnails32:09 Crafting Keyword-Rich YouTube Video Titles33:18 Live Channel Audit: Dentist (Shorts vs. Long-Form)33:54 Shorts & Long-Form Videos: Practice Your Reps36:28 Global Reach: Burned-in Captions & Language Dubbing38:28 Viewer-First Scripting for Engaging Videos40:18 Live Channel Audit: Bay Management Group41:16 Thumbnail Analysis for Property Management Videos42:16 The Downside of Niche Fragmentation on YouTube44:52 Live Channel Audit: Bitcoin Conference Videos45:50 Distinguishing Organic Views from YouTube Ad Views46:52 Recommended Software for YouTube Thumbnail Creation47:22 Insights on YouTube SEO Tools like VidIQ48:44 The Future of AI in YouTube Content Creation51:51 Why Authenticity Beats AI Slop on YouTube52:41 Improving Conference Video Titles & Thumbnails57:21 Essential & Affordable Video Equipment for Small Businesses59:26 Faces in Thumbnails: Direct Gaze vs. Emotional Cues01:01:26 Live Channel Audit: Auto Dealer (Wendell Ford)01:02:50 Identifying Paid vs. Organic Views in Auto Dealership Videos01:04:04 Using Children in YouTube Videos: Hero Message Guideline01:06:11 The "Chevy Dude": A Car Salesman's YouTube Success Story01:08:25 Strategic Use of Capitalization in YouTube Titles01:09:57 Live Channel Audit: Wedding Team Marketing01:11:53 Discovering Top Marketing Strategies for Video Content01:13:08 Jeremy's 12 Rules for Crafting Effective YouTube Titles01:14:02 Shorts Thumbnails: Less Critical for Discovery01:14:51 SEO-Driven YouTube Playlists for Content Organization01:17:14 Balancing Local Service Ads (LSA) & YouTube Ad Spend01:20:34 Shorts vs. Long-Form for Local Business: Intent & Niche01:23:11 Live Channel Audit: Addiction Treatment Center01:24:16 Tailoring Addiction Content: Focus on Families & Specific Issues01:26:04 Analyzing Performance Drop in Addiction Channel Thumbnails01:27:04 The Power of Niching Down in Sensitive Topics01:28:50 Purpose, Profit, Passion: Finding Your Niche Sweet Spot01:30:36 Live Channel Audit: Fencing Company01:30:48 Strategic Use of Hashtags for YouTube Topics01:31:54 Impact of Description Updates on Google & YouTube SEO01:33:46 Understanding YouTube Topics & Channel Correlation01

September 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM ETWebinar: Mastering ROI in SEO: Insider Tips from a Multi-Million Dollar Agency FounderJoin us for an exclusive interview with Jason Hennessey, the mastermind behind a leading SEO agency specializing in law firms. With a business that generates 8-figures annually and has been featured on the Inc. 5000 list for six years in a row, Jason knows what it takes to deliver SEO results that drive revenue.In this webinar, he’ll share actionable strategies, success stories, and the secrets to scaling your SEO efforts to ensure a measurable ROI. Whether you're a small business or a law firm, Jason’s insights will empower you to make smarter, more effective SEO decisions.Chapter:00:00 | Intro: Local SEO for Business Growth in 202501:52 | Managing Client Expectations for Local SEO Results06:19 | Using Yext for Local Citations and NAP Consistency10:26 | Realistic SEO Budgets for Law Firms and Local Businesses17:24 | The Best Link Building Strategy for Local SEO27:03 | Why New Google Reviews are More Important Than Total Reviews52:14 | Do You Need a Blog for Local SEO?58:21 | Quick SEO Hacks to Boost Google Maps Rankings59:05 | An Untapped SEO Strategy: Targeting Zero-Search Volume KeywordsEp 25113